Sad to say it wasn't love at first hearing. I was exposed to them in the early '90s, but much music I did not intake and appreciate as well as I should at that age. I was about 7-10 years old anyways, so what do you expect?

After the Pisces era, during Mellon Collie, I started an infatuation with Billy and the Pumpkins. At that point I was about 12 years old. I was in middle school, and I had friends and a brother who shared an infatuation. Blanca, Misty, and my brother Matthew; it seemed like we were the only ones who cared and appreciated the Pumpkins. They were a part of our daily lives, and they helped develop our relationships into what they were, especially for Blanca and I.

Siamese Dream became my favorite album of all time (and still is), and that album alone was what motivated me to pick up the guitar. Around age 14, I received one for Christmas, as well as the songbooks for Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie. Of course, that's all I learned and played. I figured if I can master this music (especially Geek USA!), then I can master anything. So the way I see it, Billy and James became my guitar teachers!

To this day, Pumpkins remain my favorite, and through thick and thin, I've stood through all and have loved everything they have put out. From the solo albums, to APC, The Complex, and Zwan, I love it all!!!